WRX In Effect – 2015 Subaru WRX (Part 2)

The flat-four under the aluminum hood is a member of the FA engine family that powers the turbocharged Forester XT and the naturally aspirated BRZ and Scion FR-S. Direct injected, the engine inhales 15.9 pounds of peak boost (or slightly more during brief overboost periods) and has a 10.6:1 compression ratio. Redline is painted on the tach at 6700rpm when you get the six-speed manual, which you should, because the other option is a CVT. Power tapers off slightly past the 5600-rpm power peak. Around town, the throttle is jumpy, and it’s all too easy to get more boost than you really want.

And with four-wheel drive, the WRX has no problem turning its 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque into corner-exit speed

In the interest of refinement, engine noise is muted so less of the flat-four’s characteristic growl makes it to the occupants’ ears. There is some low-rpm boom from the four-tip exhaust system, but the new WRX is no louder than before at full throttle. At a steady 70 mph, the WRX is slightly quieter than before. But on certain types of pavement, the Dunlops hum with a coarseness that we found unrefined and annoying.

We’d like more refinement in the interior, too. A modified version of what you’d find in a regular Impreza, the cabin offers soft-touch plastics throughout, but they have a sheen that won’t win over parishioners from the Church of the Volkswagen GTI. Bits of fake carbon-fiber trim attempt to inject some visual appeal, but the stuff is obviously counterfeit. This is not to say, however, that the interior is light on substance. Near the top of the dashboard sits a 4.3-inch multifunction display that provides audio and climate-control information, Bluetooth settings, a boost gauge, and a rear view while backing up. Automatic climate control is standard, as are extremely comfortable cloth sport seats. We found it easy to find a good driving position, and outward visibility is excellent for a modern car.

The firmer structure and additional standard equipment have bumped up the curb weight to 3314, an increase of 64 pounds

Aside from a 0.6-inch increase in length, the WRX is the same size as before, although a one-inch wheelbase stretch delivers a larger rear seat with almost two more inches of legroom. Despite the similar footprint, overall interior space is up, and trunk space has grown from 11.3 cubic feet to an even 12. On the safety front, there’s a new knee airbag on the driver’s side as well as three-mode stability control – on, off, and off with brake-based yaw control (ATV). The firmer structure and additional standard equipment have bumped up the curb weight to 3314, an increase of 64 pounds.

Hot-hatch aficionados will have to shop at Ford at VW stores, as the WRX is now available only as a sedan. And, aside from the nose, the new WRX is not a very pretty four-door. As we go to print. Subaru has not announced pricing, but we’re told it will be very close to the outgoing car’s. We expect that our mid-level Premium model with sunroof and heated cloth seats will wear a sticker of $30,000. Base versions will likely come in at $27,500, and a fully loaded Limited model with navigation and CVT automatic will likely crest $31,000.

Aside from a 0.6-inch increase in length, the WRX is the same size as before

If we were shopping in this class and really wanted four-wheel drive, we’d look no further than the WRX. In fact, the new Rex reminds us of the old, track-ready STI and has us speculating about the upcoming next-gen STI. If it is meaningfully more aggressive than this WRX, it will be one of the most extreme road cars ever to wear the Subaru badge. We hope the good people at Fuji Heavy Industries don’t chicken out.